900-home community gets League City OK

ERIC ERVIN

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, March 4, 2003

On Feb. 25, the League City Council voted 4-3 to approve plans for the development, which called for the creation of two municipal utility districts. The over 900 acres of land that will be used for the project is originally the site of the Houston Gulf Airport.

The request for the MUDs were made by Johnson Development Corp. of Houston.

Voting in favor of the development was Council members Katie Benoit, Tommy Cones, Mike Hembree and Barbara Meeks.

Council members Hamid Kantara, Darlene Anene and Keith Dill voted against it, saying they chose to do so because they campaigned against the creation of MUDs.

"I campaigned against no new MUDs, so I have to vote this way," said Kantara. "I'm all for economic development and I am very impressed with Johnson Development, but I would like to see them finance this development another way."

Johnson Development will offer League City 15 to 20 percent of the land for commercial use, which could help in boosting the city's economy.

Mayor Jeff Harrison said one of his main goals is to attract more businesses to the north Galveston County city. He said businesses are not likely to move into the city without the housing development.

"We cannot afford to run the water and sewer necessary for these businesses to come in," Harrison said. "I'll admit I originally thought MUDs were bad, but I'm learning every day and I believe I have more knowledge than this and trust their recommendations."

Some residents voiced their opposition to the project, saying it would lead to more traffic congestion and school overcrowding.

Resident Karl Silverman, who opposes the project, asked City Council if anyone had consulted with the local school district about the development.

"I wonder if anyone coordinated with the school district to see if they are ready for a new influx of students," Silverman said. "Furthermore, I think that by creating these MUDs you are giving special treatment to particular developers."

Cones said traffic congestion and school overcrowding are not valid problems.

"The way I see it, this is a great opportunity to move the city forward," he said. "It's a very positive thing, especially on the commercial side of it."

The newly constructed Goforth Elementary School in League City has a capacity of 832 students. Currently, the school has 522. Hyde Elementary can hold 740 students and currently has 594.

In other business, City Council:

nÿAmended Ordinance No. 99-52, to rezone 143.2 acres of land along Hobbs Road and south of Brittany Bay Boulevard from suburban development residential to single-family residential.

* Renewed and extended a contract for the repair of streets, sidewalks and stormwater drainage facilities.

* Set a public hearing for March 11 on a request to rezone 9.8 acres of land located on FM 528 from suburban development residential and public facilities and institutions to general commercial.

* Approved an amendment to the tax abatement agreement between the city of League City and American National Insurance Company.